James A. Aasland, 77 of Appleton, MN, died unexpectedly at his home Monday, June 8, 2015. He was a former Joice, IA native and had lived in Appleton since 1962. Jim (Jimmie to many) was born May 30, 1938, at the Kingland Hospital in Lake Mills, IA. He was the son of Ancel and Adeline (Bang) Aasland. His hometown of Joice was his grounding place, where he learned how to exemplify goodness. He attended the Joice Public Schools, participated in many activities and sports and was the valedictorian of his 1956 graduating class. The Bethany Lutheran Church in Joice was the basis for his Christian upbringing, being baptized and confirmed in the faith among many relatives and close friends whom he never forgot. He lived in the small, close knit-town of Joice until 1948, when his family then moved to an acreage just a mile from town. He became his father's "right hand man" at an early age, helping him in his trucking business and with various farm chores, including raising pigs. In his senior year in high school Jim discovered a somewhat forgotten horse in a neighbor's pasture. The neighbor was happy his horse had found a new home, old and decrepit animal that she was. "Lady" was showered with much attention and it was discovered she had been trained in her earlier life. She seemed to "come alive" with Jim's nurturing care and a girl cousin took her to the county fair to ride in competitions, where she was put through the paces, and won prizes of excellence! Lady's descendants, Sundance and Penny, lived out their lives in Appleton pastures. While still in high school Jim bought a Hi-Boy sprayer and began his own weed spraying business, doing custom spraying for area farmers. It was that enterprise that made his college education possible. He attended Luther College in Decorah, IA, for one year and then transferred to Iowa State University in Ames, to delve into the college of agriculture where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy in 1960. Jim's pride in being an ISU Cyclone was apparent all through his life. He was a member of the Farm House Fraternity, while a student and made many life-long friends as he studied the art of "loving the land." After graduation Jim volunteered to serve his country by enlisting in the Army Reserves in 1961. He did his basic training in California and also learned to ski in Alaska. He served for six years in the Reserves, as he began his first job with Smith-Douglas Fertilizer in Albert Lea, MN. Always looking for a position with a more land-based company, he accepted the position of field manager for the American Crystal Sugar Company and moved to Appleton, MN, in 1962. Appleton became his home, as he worked side by side with many farmers who raised sugar beets in the area. Then he was employed by the North Central Ag Service for a short time. In his next position he worked for the Federal Land Bank, where he met more like-minded farmers, helping them hold onto their land. In 1975 he joined the Minnesota Farms Company, eventually becoming president of the organization. He was inventive and forward thinking and used his expertise to introduce the "no till" method of caring for the land he loved, whether his own or his neighbors'. He retired in 2008, having served the company for 33 years. If one sees winter wind-blown soil topping the snow in the ditches around Appleton, it did NOT come from Jim's style of farming! He loved the land and took great care of it. In all, he dedicated 48 years to a career that saw many changes in agriculture. He also started to invest in available land around him, gradually building up a successful farm enterprise of his own. Farming for himself and being a part of the land he owned was always his passion in life. He inherited nothing, acquiring his land through hard work and perseverance. Presently, he and Mike Roggatz were partners in loving the land. That partnership was more than just working together; perhaps more like "big brother and younger brother." Jim never really retired, as he and Mike made a strong team and experienced much success together, all the while enjoying their friendship. Mike was the manager of the land operations and equipment, while Jim was the business manager of the day-to-day realm of their partnership. They saw each other every day. His favorite pastime was having coffee with his many friends. Jim's pride in his Norwegian heritage was evident, with the Norsk flag flying from his "red roofed inn" and his welcoming smile meeting visitors at the door. In 2001, a trip to Norway was thrilling and momentous. He enjoyed meeting relatives and made friends easily in the region of Telemark, his ancestors' homeland. He was very insistent that his distinctive last name be spelled correctly and the double AA be pronounced, awe - as in "awesome!" Jim's liking for spritz and lefse was known! In his personal life Jim was married to Mary Behlen, a native of Appleton, on June 13, 1965. Two children entered their lives to make a family, Chris and Carrie. They built a new home on the southeast edge of Appleton in 1978. This marriage was eventually dissolved in 1995. In 1999 Jim and Lois Rheingans married and have been an active pair who both celebrated life in Appleton. He was very involved in his children's and grandchildren's lives and was always there for them. Jim's church was very important to him. He served in many capacities as president of the congregation and as an elder, always at hand when needed. He was Commander of the American Legion Post in Appleton for many years, leading projects and organizing parades and community events. Left to cherish sharing his life with him are: wife, Lois; son, Christopher; daughter, Carrie and her husband, Jason Bowers; grandchildren, Savanna and Morgan Thole and Julia Bowers; sister, Vivien (Aasland) Hansen of Humboldt, IA,; two nieces, Jill and husband, Paul Fuller and their sons, Caleb and Noah, Eagan, MN, and Leah and husband, Peter Hill and children Naomi, Lydia and Levi, Ankeny, IA; and Brad Rheingans, Lois' son. He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Anne Elizabeth in 1970 and his brother-in-law, Daryl Hansen in 1997. His favorite greeting to his granddaughters was "Stay Happy!" He was AWESOME!
